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An Air Station Kodiak helicopter crew safely hoisted four fishermen and their dog from a liferaft about 200 miles southwest of Kodiak last night after their fishing vessel started taking on water. They were off the 76-foot Ocean Viking, which is homeported in Shoreline, Washington. All crewmen and the dog are in good condition after being brought to Kodiak around midnight.
The Ocean Viking sent a distress call at about 8:30 p.m. saying they were taking on water and were preparing to abandon ship. The message was relayed from Trident Seafoods in Chignik to the Coast Guard, which launched an MH-60 Jayhawk, which arrived about two hours later. Conditions at the scene included 24 mph wind and six-foot seas.
The fishermen were all in survival suits and secure in their liferaft when the helicopter arrived.
Adam De Rocher, a search and rescue controller with the 17th District command center, praised the crew for doing everything right, from calling for help and activating their EPIRB (ee-perb) and abandoning ship before it was too late.
When last spotted, the Ocean Viking was only partially submerged and represents a hazard to navigation. The Coast Guard is broadcasting a notice to mariners to keep a sharp lookout to prevent a collision.
The cause of the sinking is being investigated.